Hide-coupler



G. B. CAMPBELL.

HIDE COUPLER. APPLICATION FILED SEPLQ, 1919. 1,390,495. v Patentedfiept- 13, 1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

Snow/tow George B. Campbell G. B.-CAMPBELL.

HIDE COUPLER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-9, I919.

1,390,495, PatentedSept. 13, 1921.

2 SHEET S SHEET 2.

swim/1M0 1 GEORGE B. CAMPBELL, OF GANISTEO, NEW Y ORK.

HIDE-COUPLER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept; 13 1921 Application filed September 9, 1919. Serial No. 822,615.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE B. CAMPBELL,

' a citizen of the United States, residing at Canisteo, in the county of Steuben and Stat of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Hide-Couplers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in hide couplers.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a hide coupler whereby the overlapping ends of the several hides may be hooked or coupled together during the reeling operation incident to the tanning process of the hides.

A further object of my invention is to provide a hide coupler which is simple and economical in construction, may be easily applied or removed and is highly efficient in operation.

\Vith the foregoing and other objects in view that will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts illustrated in the drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is an elevation, illustrating the application of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my improved hide coupler, detached.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation thereof.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device, with the parts in operative position.

Fig. 5 is a similar view, with the parts extended and Fig. 6 is a detail fragmentary sectional view. with the parts represented on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings for a more particular description of the invention and which drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are therefore not drawn to scale, the numeral 1 represents a series of hides which are arranged with their adjacent ends overlapping (as indicated in Fig. 1) and the numeral 2 my improved hide coupler, as a whole.

As shown, the device comprises a pair of bars or members 3 and 4. respectively, which are pivotally connected together at their inner ends, as at 5, and comprise the handle 6 and jaws 7. The jaw 7 of bar 4 is provided or equipped with a rigid inwardly projecting coupling tooth or prong 8, which gradually tapers from its inner to its outer end and terminates in a cutting point 9, which cutting point, when the parts are in operative or closed position, extends through an eye '10 formed in the jaw of bar 3, the purpose of which will presently appear.

A locking bar 11 is pivoted at its inner end, as at 12, to the handle portion of the coupler bar 4 and extends laterally therefrom with its outer end working through a longitudinal slot 13 formed in the handle portion of the companion bar 3, which slot allows for the required play of the locking bar in adjusting th device from inoperative to operative position or vice versa.

The jaws of the coupler bars 3 and 4 are normally held open, as indicated in Fig. 5, by the coil spring 14 disposed around the locking bar between the handle portions of the aforesaid coupler bars. bar 11 is provided in its bottom edge, intermediate its ends, with a notch or recess 15,

The locking the shoulder or wall 16 of which is adapted to be engaged'by the recessed upper end 17 of the pivoted latch 18, whereby the pivoted bars and 4 may be held in closed or operative position, as indicated in Figs. 4 and 6. As shown, the latch 18' fits fiatwise against the outer surface of the bar 3 and is pivoted to such bar at its lower end, as at 19.

To apply the device, the jaws 7 of the bars 3 and 4 are placed or positioned astride the overlapping ends of the hides, when the jaws are closed against the action of the coil spring 14 by exertinga pressure against the handle portions 6. This operation causes the tooth. or prong .8 to penetrate or pass through the overlapping ends of the hides.

Vhen the jaws are closed, as indicated in Fig. 4, the upper recessed end 17 of the latch 18 is engaged with the wall 16 of notch 15 of the locking bar 11, whereby the jaws are held in closed position, while the latch is held against casual or accidental disengagement from the notched portion of the locking bar 11 by the pressure or action of the coil spring 14, as will be readily appreciated. To disengage the device from the hides after the tanning process, the handles 6 of the bars 3 and 4 are first pressed somewhat closer together to permit the upper end of the latch to be swung out of engagement with the notched portion of the locking bar. The pressure exerted against the handle is then relaxed or released when they will be swung open, as indicated in Fig. 5,-by the action of the coil expansion spring 14.

It is claimed that the form of the aperture or opening made in the hides by the tooth or prong 8 is such that it will be entirely closed in the finishing process of the hides.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the drawings, it is thought that the construction, operation and advanta ges of this invention Will be readily understood Without requiring a more extended explanation.

Various changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the principles or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as defined'in the appended claim.

Having described my invention, What I claim as new and desire to, secure by Letters Patent, is v r A hide coupler comprising a pair of pivoted bars, a pointed cutting prong or tooth carried by the jaw of one bar, a locking bar pivoted to the handle of one bar and extending through the handle of. the other or companion bar, said locking bar provided with a notch, a latch pivoted to said last mentioned bar, said latch adapted to engage the notched portion of the locking bar and hold the pivoted bars in closed position and coil spring disposed around the locking bar between the handle members of the coupler bars.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

EORGE CAMPBELL. 

